.svg)
Accounts Payable (A/P)
What is Accounts Payable (A/P)?
Accounts Payable (A/P) in the context of the construction industry refers to the amount of money a company owes to its suppliers or vendors for goods and services received but not yet paid for. These could range from raw materials bought for construction, to equipment rental fees, to labor costs for contractors. Essentially, they are debts that a construction company needs to clear within a specified timeline. Managing A/P effectively is crucial in the construction industry to maintain positive relationships with suppliers and vendors, ensure a steady supply of materials and services, and promoting healthy cash flow. Regular reviews of the A/P process can help avoid potential financial hiccups and keep the construction projects running smoothly.
Trusted by trade contractors across the country
Other construction terms
What is Revenue Recognition?
Revenue recognition in the construction industry is a principle that determines when a company earned revenue is considered. It's not as simple as recognizing revenue when cash exchanges hands. Rather, it's a method used to determine the precise point when contractually stipulated work has been completed for which payment can be recognized. Often, this involves matching invoices to the percent of completed work on a given project. Stage of completion or percentage-of-completion method is utilized, allowing them to record revenue progressively as the project progresses. It's a critical aspect of financial reporting, ensuring revenues, and profit margin correctly reflect the company's current operations. This principle is guided by GAAP and IFRS standards.
What is a Transmittal?
A transmittal in construction is a formal document that accompanies the delivery of project materials like drawings, specifications, reports, or samples. It’s like a receipt that creates an official record of what was sent, when it was sent, and who received it.
Transmittals typically include document details, revision numbers, dates, and any special instructions about enclosed materials. They’re essential for keeping everyone—from the field to the back office—on the same page throughout the project.
Just like transmittals ensure project documents don't get lost in the shuffle, Siteline brings that same level of transparency to subcontractor billing workflows. It gives subcontractors a centralized solution for managing pay applications, tracking compliance and payments, and spotting cash flow holdups before they derail operations. Interested in learning more? Book some time with us.
What is Outside Financing?
Outside financing, in the context of the construction industry, refers to the process of seeking funds from external sources to cover costs associated with building projects. These sources can be institutional lenders like banks, credit unions, insurance companies, or private sources such as private equity funds, venture capitalists, or individual investors. Construction firms can opt for outside financing when internal resources or profits aren't sufficient to meet the materials, labor, and equipment costs. Different types of outside financing for construction can include loans, lines of credit, or bonds. The specific financing option chosen often depends on factors such as the scale of the project, the creditworthiness of the construction firm, and the risk appetite of the prospective financer. Some loans could be short term, covering immediate costs, while others may be long term, planned for extensive projects. While outside financing can be a lifesaver, it's noteworthy that it adds to the project's overall cost due to the interest and fees charged by lenders. Thus, it should be optimally strategized in the project's financial planning phase.
Ready to end the fire drill and get paid faster?
